Malloy to close all major highways by 1 p.m.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has ordered that all major roadways be closed off to non-emergency vehicles by 1 p.m.

Malloy said at 11 a.m. all trucks will be banned from operating on limited access highways.

"Residents need to take this storm very seriously," said Malloy. "We're doing this in two phases, so that trucks will first be prohibited and then all non-emergency vehicles. If you're in a non-evacuation area, stay home."

Kevin Nursick, spokesman for the DOT, said once wind gusts reach 50 mph, a voluntary "soft ban" on all tractor-trailers will be in place, preventing them from traveling on the state's major highways.

Nursick said the ban would be lifted when weather conditions improve. He did not give a specific time.

Nursick said he has reached out to the Motor Transport Association, which has been accommodating to bans that have been issued in the past.

"Truckers all over the east coast are aware of these bans," said Nursick. "We are telling people to stay off the roads so state police and the DOT and other emergency vehicles can respond unencumbered," said Nursick. "We are going to keep all the major highways open for as long as possible. The secondary and local roads may be closed for a long time."

Nursick said he expects the Merritt Parkway to be shutdown at some point in the evening because the highway is lined with so many trees.

Employees with Allied Tree Experts of Mystic were on East Shore Avenue in Groton Long Point for high tide Monday morning, Oct. 29, 2012. Owner and arborist Steven David said his employees would remain there to keep roads open for emergency vehicles for the next 36 hours.